AT WHAT COST? - HIV AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONSEQUENCES OF THE GLOBAL “WAR ON DRUGS” - March 2009

Sep 4, 2026

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Examines HIV and human-rights consequences of the global “war on drugs,” linking drug-control approaches to harms affecting people who use drugs. Centers on police abuse, arbitrary detention, forced drug testing, discrimination, and disruptions to daily life, alongside policy impacts on HIV prevention and access to care. Reviews influence of international actors and presents country case studies across regions, drawing on evidence to argue for rights-protective, harm-reduction oriented reforms and accountability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages196

Reading Time8 h 14 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

I. A War on Drug Users: Police Abuse in the Name of Drug Control

II. Superpower Influence: The Export of Russian and American Approaches

III. Drug Control, Drug Use, and HIV: Reports from South and Southeast Asia

Appendix: Beyond 2008 Declaration

AT WHAT COST? HIV AND HUMAN RIGHTS CONSEQUENCES OF THE GLOBAL “WAR ON DRUGS” At What Cost? HIV and Human Rights Consequences of the Global“War on Drugs” March 2009 International Harm Reduction Development Program Copyright © 2009 Open Society Institute. All rights reserved. For more information, contact: International Harm Reduction Development Program Open Society Institute 400 West 59th Street New York, NY 10019 USA Telephone: 1 212 548 0600 Email: [IHRD@sorosny.org](IHRD@sorosny.org) [www.soros.org/health](www.soros.org/health) Design: Andiron Studio Printing: GHP, United States Cover photo: Daniel Aguilar/Reuters A member of Mexico’s Federal Investigative Agency guards people arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs during an antinarcotics operation in Mexico City. Public Health Program The Open Society Institute’s Public Health Program (PHP) works to advance the health and human rights of marginalized persons by building the capacity of civil society leaders and organizations and advocating for accountability and a strong civil society role in health policy and practice. To advance its mission, the program supports the development and implementation of health-related laws, policies, and practices that are grounded in human rights and evidence. PHP utilizes five core strategies to advance its mission and goals: grantmaking, capacity building, advocacy, strategic convening, and mobilizing and leveraging other funding. PHP’s project areas include harm reduction, sexual health and rights, access to essential medicines, mental health, health policy and budget monitoring, palliative care, Roma health, law and health, health media, and engagement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. As of 2009, PHP worked in Central and Eastern Europe, Southern and Eastern Africa, certain countries of South East Asia, and China. International Harm Reduction Development Program The International Harm Reduction Development Program (IHRD), part of the Open Society Institute’s Public Health Program, works to reduce HIV and other harms related to injecting drug use and to press for policies that reduce stigmatization of illicit drug users and protect their human rights. Since 1995 IHRD has supported more than 200 programs in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia, and bases its activities on the philosophy that people unable or unwilling to abstain from drug use can make positive changes to protect their health and the health of others. Since 2001, IHRD has prioritized advocacy to expand availability and quality of needle exchange, drug dependence treatment, and treatment for HIV; to reform discriminatory policies and practices; and to increase the participation of people who use drugs and those living with HIV in shaping policies that affect their lives. Contents Acknowledgements...................................................................................................................................4 Introduction ...............................................................................................................................................5 Daniel Wolfe and Roxanne Saucier I. A War on Drug Users: Police Abuse in the Name of Drug Control...................................................17 1) Police Abuse of Injection Drug Users in Indonesia ..................................................................18 Sara L.M. Davis, Asia Catalyst and Agus Triwahyuono, Jangkar 2) Arbitrary Detention and Police Abuse of Drug Users in Cambodia .........................................35 International Harm Reduction Development Program 3) Forced Drug Testing in China: Public Humiliation and a Disruption of Daily Life..................53 International Harm Reduction Development Program 4) Drug Control Policies and HIV Prevention and ......................................................................62 Care Among Injection Drug Users in Imphal, India

FAQs

What does the report analyze about the global “war on drugs”?

It analyzes how drug-control strategies generate consequences for HIV outcomes and human rights, particularly for people targeted or criminalized for drug use.

Which issues connected to law enforcement are highlighted?

The document highlights police abuse, arbitrary detention, and forced drug testing, describing public humiliation and disruptions to daily life.

What policy direction does the International Harm Reduction Development Program emphasize?

It prioritizes advocacy to expand the availability and quality of needle exchange, drug dependence treatment, and HIV treatment, while reforming discriminatory policies and increasing participation of affected communities.

Sep 4, 2026

Uploaded by Dozel